Tour of Britain coming to Monmouthshire

THE 2014 Tour of Britain will include a summit finish in Monmouthshire it has been announced.

On September 9, as part of the race, cyclists will head through Powys and mid-Wales to the summit finish on the six km climb of The Tumble, above Abergavenny.

The opening stage of the race takes place on September 7 in Liverpool with the battle for the race leader's yellow jersey going down to the final day of the eight day race in central London.

There, both an individual time trial and circuit race will be held on the iconic 8.8km circuit that takes in the capital's best known landmarks, including the finish on Whitehall.

Other places featuring in the tour include Knowsley, the scene of Sir Bradley Wiggins' time trial victory in the 2013 tour, Bristol, Devon and Bath.

An 18-team line-up of six-rider squads is planned for The Tour of Britain, with the first ten teams confirmed at the race's national launch. Joining a Great Britain national squad in the race will be nine top-level UCI Pro Tour teams - Belkin Pro Cycling, BMC, Cannondale, Garmin Sharp, Movistar, Omega Pharma Quick-Step, Team Giant Shimano, Team Sky and Tinkoff - Saxo.

The identities of the remaining teams, as well as detailed route maps from new tour partners Ordnance Survey showcasing intermediate Yodel Direct Sprints and SKODA King of the Mountains climbs will be announced in the summer.

"With our toughest summit finish yet, an individual time trial in London and several longer stages, this year's Tour of Britain has a varied and testing route that will present opportunities to a variety of riders," said race director Mick Bennett.

"The route will again showcase some fantastic scenery, and combine major British cities with charming and picturesque towns and villages, as well as testing climbs, all of which will make for a memorable tour."